Competency trial set for Fairfield man accused of attempted murder

More than four years after a Fairfield man accused of shooting into his neighbor's home made his first court appearance, little has progressed in his case and concerns over his mental state linger.

However, that could change as the accused gunman, Stephen Earl Scally, is expected to have a court trial regarding his competency in October.

Scally appeared in the Fairfield courtroom of Solano County Superior Court Judge Donna Stashyn on Wednesday and the Oct. 15 trial date was selected.

Scally was arrested at gunpoint the afternoon of Feb. 18, 2010, after residents in the 300 block of Tulip Street called Fairfield police dispatchers to report that someone was shooting a rifle or shotgun at a house. Fairfield police and Solano County sheriff's deputies subsequently surrounded the neighborhood, closing off streets and locking down a nearby daycare facility.

The gunman, later identified as Scally, had retreated inside his home and police, positioned behind an armored Bearcat rescue vehicle, spent more than an hour trying to communicate with him.

Police said Scally eventually emerged from his home unarmed and surrendered to officers without further incident.

No injuries were reported as a result of the gunfire.

After his first several court appearances upon pleading not guilty to charges of attempted murder with use of a firearm, shooting into an occupied dwelling, and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, Scally's defense counsel expressed concerns as to his ability to understand and assist in his defense at future court proceedings.

After a series of psychological evaluations, criminal proceedings were soon put on hold in 2010 and a judge ruled Scally was not mentally competent to participate in court proceedings.

For the most part, that has been the case for Scally as he has traveled back and forth between Solano County Jail and Atascadero State Hospital, where doctors there have been attempting to restore his competency.

Scally is now back in Solano County Jail custody and will have a trial into whether he is mentally competent. A probable cause hearing has not yet been held in his case.